COVID-19 seating limitations are adopted by Delta Air Lines to minimize infections on board

Morning Business Outlook: American Airlines and Delta announce reduction in domestic and international service; New York Auto Show delaying the annual event because of the coronavirus, the first time the event has been postponed since World War II.

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Delta Air Lines will start enforcing social distancing on its flights in an effort to minimize coronavirus transmissions by blocking customers from middle cabin seats, according to a company statement issued Wednesday.

The seating limitation will be put into effect starting April 13 and is set to run through May 31. It will also apply to the airline’s Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select seats. Customers will not be able to select middle seats in these sections when they are booking flights online or through the Fly Delta App.

Additionally, Delta will reduce the number of customers it allows on each flight while temporarily doing away with automatic, advance Medallion Complimentary Upgrades – all of which are said to help “allow gate agents to determine how to best seat customers while considering social distancing and aircraft weight-and-balance restrictions.”

Delta has also adopted new cleaning standards such as overnight interior fogging, disinfecting high-touch areas and spot checks to ensure customers are brought on sanitized flights. Food and beverage distribution has been streamlined to minimize contact between customers and crew.